WASHINGTON (Oct. 23, 2007)–National Geographic has created a new Global Media group composed of its magazine, book publishing, television, film, music, radio, digital media and maps units. Tim Kelly, 51, president and CEO of National Geographic Ventures, has been named president, Global Media. The announcement was made today by John Fahey, president and CEO of the National Geographic Society, to whom Kelly will continue to report.

“This new combined structure is an important step in the evolution of our work in this exciting and rapidly changing digital world,” Fahey said. “Our goal is to enhance and broaden coordination among our editorial units, refine our digital content strategies and better serve our members, our partners and our mission. Tim has lived and breathed National Geographic for more than 25 years and brings a unique combination of business skills and creativity to this important assignment. He’s the right person at the right time to help us find even more effective ways to inspire people to care about the planet.”

Kelly’s leadership team will expand to include John Q. Griffin, executive vice president of the National Geographic Society and president of the Magazine Group, and Nina Hoffman, executive vice president of the Society and president of Book Publishing. National Geographic Magazine Group includes the English-language versions of National Geographic magazine, National Geographic Traveler, National Geographic Adventure, NG Kids and the newly published NG Little Kids. National Geographic Books publishes hundreds of titles annually for trade, library and direct-mail sales.

Kelly will continue to oversee National Geographic Ventures, National Geographic’s wholly owned taxable subsidiary that includes National Geographic Television, National Geographic Cinema Ventures, National Geographic Films, National Geographic Kids Entertainment, National Geographic Home Entertainment, National Geographic Digital Media, National Geographic Music & Radio, National Geographic Maps and National Geographic’s interests in the National Geographic Channels.

“We have a superb magazine publisher in John Q. Griffin, who has already successfully crossed the digital divide in heading up our unified cross-media ad sales team,” Kelly said. “And Nina Hoffman runs our highly successful book publishing operations with great creativity and discipline. Combined with our television and electronic assets, we deliver the best, the most fascinating content about this planet in exactly the form any consumer will demand — from books, magazines, television specials and rich broadband content to the latest in 3-D digital theatrical movies. And that is the point — these media are merging, so our organization must evolve to take advantage of myriad new opportunities.”

Kelly has played a key leadership role for more than 20 years with National Geographic. His vision transformed the organization’s television operations from a documentary production unit into the multifaceted production, distribution and digital media company it is today. He was the catalyst and chief advocate for the development of the joint venture that launched the National Geographic Channels. Other additions include the formation of a global television distribution company, a giant-screen production and distribution arm, and the creation of a feature film division that was involved in the Academy Award-winning blockbuster hit “March of the Penguins.”

Kelly serves on the boards of the National Geographic Channels (both U.S. and International), National Geographic Ventures and National Geographic Channel/Europe.

A native of Colorado and a finance graduate of the University of Colorado, Kelly lives in Washington, D.C.

The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 300 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 8,000 scientific research projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.